Days

Flights

The number of domestic and/or
regional flights which are included in the trip price.

Not Child Friendly

Accommodation Rating

Accommodation
facilities on certain trips may vary. Some luxurious trips may have one (or
more) nights off the beaten track, where we could spend the night in a home
stay, or in a simple guesthouse so we can include a location we think well
worth it. On the other hand, a trip rated as 'rough' might include few good
hotels throughout its route. The overall accommodation rating refers to
the norm across the entire lodging facilities used on a certain trip. Moreover,
the rating definitions are obviously subjective, so treat them with appropriate
caution.

Rough

A trip that includes extensive camping, home stays and/or very basic local hotels. These trips are often conducted in remote regions, where travel-related infrastructure doesn’t exist.

Basic

A trip that includes extensive stays in local hotels or unrated accommodation facilities. On this type of trip, the accommodation facilities will have a very basic range of services and the overall service might be rather poor.

Standard

A trip that is mostly based on good hotels and usually goes to places where the travel-related infrastructure is well developed.

Comfortable

At the end of extensive travel day, land in a great hotel, to make a great day into a great night. These trips are based on good 4-star hotels we have hand-picked to enhance your trip.

Luxurious

Some of our top-of-the-range trips, we provide accommodation in hotels, the majority being 5-star or very good 4-star hotels. Sometimes they’re not rated but are nevertheless boutique hotels. If you're looking for a trip that provides both a great insight into the local culture and high level of comfort, then our luxurious trips are the ones for you!

Difficulty Rating

Hikes or rides of 2 to 4 hours on some days. Easy physical activities. May include one to three longer driving days.

Challenging

May include full-day hikes or rides (4 to 6 hours) over moderate terrain and occasional steep trails, or long driving distances on rough roads.

Demanding

May include full-day hikes (up to 6 hours) or rides over challenging terrain, long driving distances over rough unpaved roads, or challenging weather conditions including extremes of temperature.

Strenuous

Expedition-style camping or stays with local families. Includes full-day hikes or rides over mountainous terrain, or other strenuous physical activity requiring good physical fitness. Extremes of weather may include very hot and dry conditions or cold, snow and ice.

Recommended Dates: Mid-May to mid-September.

Next Departures

Itinerary

The Eight Lakes Nature Reserve lies high in the Khangai Mountains, Mongolia’s second largest mountain range. Barely accessible to vehicles, the nature reserve is being kept in a pristine condition, allowing the few visitors that do make the effort to climb up there to enjoy Mongolian nature at its best. As well as our 5 days trek through the nature reserve, we shall explore other sites in the Khangai (Mongolian for prosper) region, among them, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, hot springs and sand dunes. Through the trek, pack animals will carry our luggage, allowing us to enjoy the trek to the full.

Day 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Dinner

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, we may go on a short sight-seeing tour of the city. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in our 4-star hotel.

Day 2. Ulaanbaatar - Mongol Nomads - Elsiin Tasarkhai

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, we board our 4×4 vehicles. Today we drive back in time, to a place that recreates the lives of Mongolian nomads at the beginning of the 20th century. This was when Mongolia gained its independence from the Qing Dynasty and established itself as a reemerging nation under a living god-king. We shall attend a demonstration of how the nomads lived their lives during this era, and we shall see a stunning performance of Mongolian horsemanship. After lunch we head out west. Marking the northern edge of the great GobiDesert, Elsiin Tasarkhai is a sand dune that stretches for more than 130 km northwards into the heart of central Mongolia. After having lunch at a ger camp, we visit a family who make a living from herding Bactrian (two-humped) camels. In the afternoon we go for a hike along the sand dune, and, if the weather permits, we will enjoy a beautiful sunset over the dune. Overnight in the ger camp.

Day 3. Elsiin Tasarkhai - Tuvkhon Monastery - Orkhon Valley

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Leaving
the sand dune, we reach the Mongolian steppes. Here there is a great
variety of birds of prey, including eagles and falcons, constantly on
the watch for a meal. Our first stop is for a 3½- hour trek (the
first hour being uphill) to Tuvkhon Monastery, established during the
1650s by Zanbazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious
leaders. The monastery’s wooden buildings are integrated into a
natural system of caves near a hilltop, from which you have beautiful
views of the Orkhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its
unique natural features, this was a perfect location in which the
great religious leader could meditate. Continuing south, we reach the
Orkhon Valley. Overnight in a ger
camp.

Day 4. Orkhon Valley - Red Waterfall - Khangai Mountain Range

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Leaving
our camp, we take an hour’s drive to the beautiful volcanic canyon
through which the Orkhon River flows. Here we will take an easy hike
along the canyon floor and end up at the pool at the bottom of the
Red Waterfall. For the brave at heart, a cool swim awaits! In the
afternoon we leave our hosts and drive deeper into the Khangai
Mountain Range to camp for the night. Overnight bush camping.

Days 5 to 9. Trekking the Eight Lakes Nature Reserve

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

For
the next few days we hike at a leisurely pace in the Eight Lakes
National Park. Our route takes us through the Khangai Nuruu,
Mongolia’s second largest mountain range, which lies 2800 meters
above sea level. The reserve consists of numerous lakes, from which
the park receives its name, scattered over two big valleys, amongst
thickly forested pine forests. Very few families inhabit the area,
and it is a perfect place to see a large variety of wild flowers. As
we hike, we carry only light daypacks, and our luggage and tents will
be carried on pack animals. Overnight bush camping (5 nights).

Day 10. Uliastai River - Gyalaan Valley - Tsenkher Hot Springs

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

We
again board our 4×4 vehicles and head north, crossing the Khangai
Nuruu Mountains through a series of passes to the trailhead where we
begin our day’s hike – a truly enchanting walk up a stream, where
we hop from one stone to another, to the top of the hill for an
amazing view of the surrounding valleys. We then reach the area
Mongolians call ‘the paradise of the horse herders’ because of
its lush grass and open valleys. We drive to the Tsenkher hot
springs, where water flows out of the ground at about 80° C (180°
F) and where we can enjoy a relaxing soak. Overnight in a ger camp.

Built
by Chinggis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin – better known as
Karakorum – was famed throughout Asia as the capital of the Mongol
Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city, kings were chosen,
laws were made and the fate of the next city to be conquered was
determined. We will visit the ruins of the old city, the Erdene Zuu
monastery, and other historical monuments in the area. After lunch we
head back eastwards. In the late afternoon we arrive at Hustaiin
Nuruu Strictly Protected Area (SPA). The SPA was established as part
of a unique project to reintroduce the world’s last surviving wild
horses to their natural environment. On the brink of extinction
during the 20th century, the very few takhi,
or Przewalski’s horse, that remained were kept in European zoos.
This graceful steppe horse was returned to Mongolia, and today,
thanks to this special project, two herds again roam the Mongolian
steppes. Overnight in a ger
camp.

Day 12. Hustaiin Nuruu - Terelj National Park

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

We
leave Hustaiin Nuruu and head towards Terelj National Park. The park
features unique rock formations, scenic valleys, a winding river, and
restful groves of trees. Many nomads live in the park itself, where
they find good grazing for their animals. On arriving at the park, we
take an easy hike to the famous Turtle Rock, a symbol of wisdom and
longevity for the Mongolian people. We then continue hiking to
Ariabal Temple. The temple has been recently reconstructed because
the original one was destroyed during the communist purges of the
1930s. A site of great tranquility, it functions today as a
meditation center for Buddhist monks. After lunch we take a horse
ride through the vast meadows of the park. Overnight in a ger
camp.

Day 13. Terelj - Ulaanbaatar

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

After
breakfast in the park, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar. We begin
the day with a few hours exploring the Black Market. This huge market
contains every single item that Mongolians might need, whether they
are nomads or urban apartment dwellers. Goods brought from all
corners of Mongolia are on sale here. A visit to the market is a
colorful experience which gives the visitor an insight into the
everyday life of the people of Ulaanbaatar.
After lunch we visit the National History Museum, which has a
permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have risen
and declined in the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to
the present day. The exhibition includes a significant display of
objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. There will be free
time for shopping in the afternoon. Mongolia is world renowned for
its fine cashmere and you will find this and many other souvenir
items in the city. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner,
followed by a visit to Zaisan Hill for a view over the city at night.
Overnight in our 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 14. Departure from Ulaanbaatar

Breakfast

After
breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Chinggis Khan International
Airport for our departure flight.

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Dates & Pricing

Trip rates valid for two confirmed travelers and above. If you are booking this trip for a party of four travelers or more, please contact us for our special rates.

[email protected] reserves the right to change tour prices and programs due to changes in flight schedule, changes in airfares, and other local circumstances.